Guide Dogs Blog

In Memory of Rosemary Penn

November 14th, 2018

At Guide Dogs SA/NT, we are saddened by the news that our treasured friend and Life Member, Rosemary Penn OAM, passed away peacefully last week.

Together with her late husband, Malcolm, Rosemary was a generous supporter of Guide Dogs and a passionate advocate for people living with vision impairment or blindness. Throughout their 39 years of marriage, Rosemary and Malcolm demonstrated an unwavering dedication to their community.

Their many accomplishments include founding the Radio for the Print Handicapped (5RPH 1197), championing blind cricket through Blind Cricket South Australia (BCSA), and establishing the Sir Charles Bright Scholarship which offers financial assistance to tertiary students living with vision impairment. Malcolm was also instrumental in the campaign for legislation to provide public access rights for Guide Dogs and their handlers.

In their later years, the Penn family developed a deep affinity for our Autism Assistance Dog program. After Malcolm’s passing in 2008, Guide Dogs SA/NT recognised his innovative spirit by dedicating our Autism Assistance Dog training room to his memory.

Malcolm and Rosemary’s two sons, David and Philip, remain active advocates for people living with vision impairment through their involvement with BCSA and their ongoing support of Guide Dogs SA/NT.

In keeping with her lifelong commitment to support people living with vision impairment, Rosemary’s legacy lives on through her bequest to Guide Dogs SA/NT’s Buddy for Life program. Through their actions and advocacy, Rosemary and her family continue to make our community a more inclusive place.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to Malcolm and Rosemary’s sons, David and Philip, and the extended Penn family. Vale, Rosemary. You will be greatly missed.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller